Big Sky Brewing Company Biere De Noël (2015) Belgian Strong Dark Ale at 10.1% ABV (2015 Craft Beer Advent Calendar Day #6, 355 ml, no bottle date or best before, reviewed 6-Dec-2015)
Appearance: clear medium-deep amber with one finger of loose light tan head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, minimal patchy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: dark boozy fruit, brown sugar, light chocolate, toffee. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, mild bitter, mild alcohol. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, sticky boozy mild bitter finish. (3/5)
Extremely similar (possibly identical) to last year’s vintage. Reviewing my notes, the carbonation seemed a little lower in this year’s version, and I’m not getting the roasty notes I thought I detected last year. Still a very polite implementation of a very large ABV, and still a solid performer, stylistically appropriate to the Advent calendar theme. Some might complain about this one being a repeat in the calendar: I’m not one of them. Pleasant sipper on a wintery evening. (15/20)
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
